Phase Fifty-Nine: Much Ado About Nothing
UIC Pavilion
Allysin Kay's Open Challenge
Alexa Bliss is making her way through the halls of PCW, hellbent on seeing Taya. She was sick of Hendrix’s games and wanted the general manager to make it stop. The diminutive woman is only halfway to her destination before the growth of vines ahead puts her to a halt. Bliss shakes her head and tries to back away, but more vines grew from behind and tripped her.
As the blonde collided with the floor, groaning in pain as her back stings, Taeler appears from in front of her. She walks slowly through the hall with a wicked grin painted on ruby lips, a sway on her step as she inches closer to Alexa. Bliss gets to her feet, backing up.
“Stay back... Keep away from me!” She turned to run and ran right into Hendrix, being shoved back.
“You call yourself a goddess, but you flee like the average peasant. You could never hold a candle to the Goddess Incarnate.”
Taeler slinks towards Bliss, stretching her arm out as ivy slowly grows. It wraps around her pale skin, stretching from her fingertips towards Alexa. Bliss turns and runs down the hall, Taeler’s image shrinking as she bursts into Taya’s office and slams the door behind her.
“... What the hell is wrong with you?” Valkyrie states as she stands to her feet. “You just got here and you’re already pissing me off.”
“It’s Taeler! She’s chasing me!” Valkyrie rolled her eyes and opened the door, peering out with her arms crossed.
“While I do believe that she could very be after you, she’s not out there now, therefore, you had no reason to barge into my office, so because you just made me mad? You’ll be facing Taeler as punishment... In an Anything Goes Match. You’ve been at it with her for weeks, so it’s time I acted on it anyhow and I know a regular match just won’t be enough. Good luck and get out.”
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Low Ki (With Salina De La Renta) vs Sami Callihan
Sami got the advantage early on, using his power to toss Low-Ki in the corner. He drives fist after fist into the abdomen before slamming the back of the head into the turnbuckle. He tosses Low-Ki from the corner and the referee checks on him. Salina climbs the apron and grabs the hair of Callihan. She slaps him across the face and Low-Ki takes advantage with a jumping double knee facebuster for the pin. Sami kicks out at one.
Low-Ki maintains control with multiple stomps to the chest. He forces Callihan to sit up before rebounding off the ropes for a big boot for another pin. Sami kicks out. He rolls out onto the apron and Low-Ki goes for a baseball slide. Callihan moves out of the way and Salina takes the hit. Callihan goes for the roll-up, but Low-Ki kicks out. As he regained control, the lights start to go out and Bray’s lamp appears in the centre of the ring. As the lights turn back on, Low-Ki is caught in Bray’s grasp and has his first meeting with Sister Abigail.
Salina helps her client out of the ring only for Bray to grab her by the neck. He tries to force her through the ropes, but Callihan is on him from behind. He goes for a suplex, but Wyatt fights his way out and slinks out of the ring. He leaves the lantern and grins, whispering:
“It’s almost time.”
Frankie Valentine (With Natalya) vs Phil Jackal
Frankie overpowers Jackal early on, but he quickly escapes he’d holds with quickness and knocks her off balance with an aerial assault. He dropkicks the woman out onto the apron, going for a shoulder tackle. She sidesteps and drives a kick into the chest before doing the same to the side of the head. Frankie follows up with a double foot stomp to the back of the head, sending Phil to the outside. Natalya looks on as Frankie attempts to mimic the stalling suplex to the outside, but he battles his way out.
Jackal drives a dropkick to the shoulder to stun Frankie and follows up with a huracarrana from the steel steps. Natalya tries to cheer Frankie on as Phil sends her into the ring for one count. As the match continues, Will and Morgan make their way out with the championships. They look on as Frankie takes control with a scoop slam. Natalya doesn’t take kindly to their arrival, immediately in their faces as Frankie barely gets the two count.
She tosses Jackal into the corner right as Ospreay shoves Natalya back. The Hart Dungeon graduate takes him down with the Nattie by Nature clothesline and that forces Morgan to attack her. Frankie slides out of the ring to help her partner, throwing off the match for a DQ. Jackal doesn’t waste any time getting out of the ring as Ospreay and Morgan sends the women into it. They both attempt to attack the women, but they battle back and force both men out of the ring.
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Tessa Blanchard Calls Out Scarlett Bordeaux
Tessa appears on the screen, pacing back and forth slightly as she pushes the tip of her tongue against the inside of her cheek. Blanchard’s face scrunched up, lips protruding somewhat as she thinks back to last week’s shenanigans. She looked to the screen, eyes burning with fury.
“I’ve had a lot of ups, and downs since returning to PCW. My tag team run has admittedly been... So-so at best. So I think it’s time I return to singles competition. Now you all know I only aim high, never too high, but pretty damn up there. A girl has to pace herself, test her limitations... Then go beyond them. I’m the best wrestler that PCW has signed and I’m gonna prove it reaching the pinnacle of this company, so that said... I’m looking to see if a former champion has what it takes.”
Tessa pauses momentarily, her frown melting into a wicked smile. The brunette nods her head as the name leaves her lips. “Scarlett Bordeaux.” She starts to quietly laugh to herself, looking off to the side for a bit.
“Scarlett Bordeaux, you worthless excuse for a wrestler. You’ve been a thorn in my side lately. You’re getting real cosy with Jimmy and Zack—using them to make up for your lack of decent wrestling skills. How you ever even held a title that was worth something in this business? I have no idea. But I will happily show you, and PCW what I am all about. A woman like me, a born legend, deserves only the best. And I’ll pave my way to being the best in this company by stating with you. You can try swinging your little tatas at my boyfriend all you want, but that’s not going to make you any less of a half-asses wrestler in that ring.”
She stops as Zack makes his way into the scene. His expression was hardened, frowning at Tessa slightly. He opens his mouth to speak, but she holds a hand up. “You made your bed. Lie in it. When I beat her.... You’re next.” She looks him up and down quick before turning away, hair whipping him in his face, and leaving.
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Corvus vs Vipress (With Harlow O'Hara)
Vipress doesn’t seem bothered by Corvus, seeing him as just another target. Long as she is under Harlow’s control. She charges and rams Corvus to the mat, stomping the man in the chest. She tries to go for the head, but he rolls out of the way just in time. Vipress forces him into a corner, driving knees into the gut before looking to set him up high on the turnbuckle.
Corvus fights back, shoving her down to the mat. He takes her down with a dropkick before looking to tap her out with a cloverleaf leglock. Vipress makes it to the ropes and Corvus waits for her to stand before planting her with an electric chair slam. He goes for the pin, but she kicks out. Harlow waits as Corvus nears her to grab his leg. She pulled the man out of the ring, holding his face still as she forced him to his knees. Corvus fights, but can’t seem to escape. She forces his mouth open and just like Vipress, she was attempting to let black sludge drop from her own into his.
From out of the crowd, however, a hooded figure appears and attacks Harlow from behind. Vipress comes to her aid, but the figure takes her down with a high kick. The figure removes the jacket and its none other than Indigo. Harlow is enraged, looking to strike back, but Corvus held her leg and Indigo took advantage with another kick to the cranium. The two women retreat to the ramp, glaring down at Indigo as she helped Corvus to his feet. Harlow then smiled, disappearing into shadows along with Vipress.
Alexxis Nevaeh & Jack Sexsmith vs Baron Corbin & Hania (With Mecha Wolf)
Alexxis and Baron lock up, but he easily shoves her to the mat. Shaul cheers her on despite Baron stomping his boot into the back. Baron forces her up on his shoulder, driving her into the mat with a front powerslam for the pin, but she kicks out. Corbin slams her head into the mat repeatedly until the referee has to force him back. The man growls, yanking the referee by the shirt as Alexxis tags out. Sexsmith springboards into the ring for a tornado DDT.
Baron catches him, though, looking for a transition into a suplex, but Sexsmith battles his way out for a step-up enzuiguri. Corbin is still on his feet and Jack sweeps the leg to take him down for a standing moonsault into a pin. Baron kicks out and tags in Mecha. Wolf uses his speed to catch Sexsmith off guard with a dropkick. He follows up with running knee for the pin. Jack kicks out at two. He rolls into the wrong corner and Hania takes advantage as Mecha distracts the referee. She pulls on the hair as Corbin stomps his chest in. Shaul races over and Spears Hania to the ground.
Wolf tags Baron back in, allowing the larger man to take out Jack with a clothesline. He looks to follow up with a powerbomb and Sexsmith counters with a huracarrana He barely makes it to Alexxis before Hania is freed from Shaul, tossing her into the barricade before tanking Alexxis down. Jack remains isolated and Corbin brings the End of Days to capture the victory. He raises the briefcase up high as he gains points for his team while still having a championship opportunity.
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Update on Kyle O'Reilly
Kyle is seen being pushed through hospital doors, heading straight for the emergency room as his arm is oddly bent on the gurney. He was groaning in pain, the wails long since ceased as he was pushed down the halls. An empty room was made up just for him and the doors were shut immediately after, shutting out any viewers.
Taya’s face appears on the screen, poised and professional as she sighs. “Kyle O’Reilly is currently being attended to by medical professionals. All that we know is that he is being provided the best care that PCW could buy. I am currently monitoring the situation and will update the roster, friends, and family as the hospital provides me with information regarding his injury.”
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Jay Lethal vs Ricochet
The match was even from the start. Lethal had the power, but Ricochet’s speed was untouchable. He caught Jay with a forearm smash to the chest before whipping him into the ropes for a corkscrew takedown. Lethal is on his feet, but Ricochet takes him down with a handspring hurricarana. Jay retreats to the corner, but dodges a splash. He shoves Ricochet forward into the turnbuckle before planting him with a German suplex into a bridged pin. He kicks out at two, kicking Lethal in the shoulder to warrant space.
Jay stayed on him, though, clobbering him down to the mat. He lifts Ricochet up for another suplex, but Ricochet counters into a crossbody for the pin. Lethal kicks out at two and catches a sickening jumping knee to the face. He looks to go up high for the 450 splash, but Lethal brings the knees up. He sets Ricochet up for the Lethal Injection for the victory. While disappointed, Ricochet had no time to think as the mystery attacker is in the ring beating him down. Jay doesn’t bother assisting his opponent, allowing the attacker to beat down on Ricochet.
Allysin Kay vs Rhea Ripley
The two women circle the ring, trying to gauge the other as the bell is rung. Rhea moves in first, forcing Kay against the ropes as the referee counts. Rhea slowly backs up and pushes Allysin in the shoulder. “What’s the matter, A-K-4—“ Kay boots Ripley back, but she’s still on her feet. The two-toned competitor rebounds off the ropes for the early discus lariat, but Rhea counters into a STO. She tries to stomp on the chest, but Allysin rolls out of the way. Rhea grabs her up, trying to whip Allysin, but she’s far too strong. Kay yanks Rhea toward her for a forearm smash before lifting Ripley for the AK-47 signature move. She hooks the leg, but Rhea kicks out at two.
Ripley crawls into the ropes and Allysin starts to choke her before the count of five forces her back. She kicks the ropes and that hits against Rhea’s neck just before Kay kicks her aside the head for another two count. As she forces Rhea up, the Australian uppercuts her and whips Kay into the corner for a running boot to the face. Allysin drops down to the mat and Rhea stomps her down. She grabs the legs and drags Allysin towards the ropes before slingshotting her into them. Kay chokes as Rhea looks to set up the Riptide. Allysin battles get way out and counters with a Samoan Drop for a two count.
She forces Rhea up by the hair and tosses into the corner. The momentum sends Ripley into the post and out onto the apron. Allysin tries to follow up with a suplex on the apron, but Rhea counters for the Riptide on the apron. Kay’s spins connects and she drops to the floor. Ripley rolls back into the ring, allowing Kay to be counted out for an easy victory.
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Segment
Taya stands in the ring with Tyler as he touches the championship around his waist, admiring it as Valkyrie speaks. “Last week, Tyler defeated two of PCW’s newest signees to prove that his championship victory wasn’t due to me. He won on his own merit and has shown you people why I felt he should’ve been champion from the start.”
They all mercilessly boo the two blondes and she shrugs her shoulders, smile curling up at the corners of her lips. “I know you all preferred Jenny, but she was a nuisance and the last person who should be representing PCW. You miss her now, but I know I did the right thing in firing her. Quack tried to convince me otherwise, but I’ve been calling the shots while he’s been on vacation. He is the LAST person who should be making demands.”
Taya pauses, clearly frustrated as she thinks back to last week. She flips part of her bangs from her face, the frown deepening. “I have the most difficult job in PCW and that is to keep it afloat. From hiring and firing, to bookings, to even catering—everything that goes on in PCW all falls on :my: shoulders. It’s not easy making tough decisions and none of you will ever understand why I make some of them, but it doesn’t matter. Who’s going to tell me I can’t?” She starts to laugh. “Nobody! Not a single person can tell me I can’t run my show the way I please.”
Tyler claps for her speech, looking to take the mic himself, but he’s interrupted early on. “Taya? Taya, you’re a little off there,” Quack says as he makes his way into the stage. “I was never on vacation. I was injured and you know that. While I’ve been gone, you’ve completely gone off the deep end. Even as a general manager, even as a partial owner, you have responsibilities and rules to adhere to. I got on the phone with my lawyers the other day...” Two men suited up with briefcases arrived on stage next to Quack. “They were telling me the particulars of your contract and they came across this clause in which you abuse of power starts to put some conditional strains on your position. Proof of abuse and domination puts you up to be... Fired.”
The fans start to cheer as Taya cocked her head to one side, clearly ticked off. “Guess you should’ve read the fine print. See... WE are a team, Taya. YOU don’t get to decide something is permanent if I don’t agree with it. Last week, I said firing Jenny was wrong and you had me put out. Now I’m telling you it’s illegal because she’s done nothing to warrant being fired. Technically, I could fire you for unethical behavior... But I’m generous. I have a proposal I’m sure you’ll accept.”
Taya looks on in silence as Breeze stands beside her with the same expression she had. “You wanna keep your job? You’ll not only rehire Jenny, but you’re gonna accept her challenge... Next week.” Taya stomps on her foot on the mat, shaking her head. She kicks the ropes, screeching now in anger. “And if you lose? You won’t be involved with PCW as general manager. If you win, you keep your job, but Jenny stays regardless. If you’d like to dispute that, call your lawyers... And they can have a chat with mine, but you already know I’m right... Don’t you?”
“Woah, woah! How dare you threatened her job, her livelihood? And for what? Some has-been, some wannabe Disney Princess?!” Tyler yells. “This isn’t some fairytale where everyone has a happy ending. Taya made the right call and—“
“And you’ll be defending your championship every week until the next PPV, regardless of the point system. You’re having an open challenge until you can reach April AND retain the gold.” Tyler’s mouth drops open and he looks to Taya for help, but her face was red now. She glared at Quack with so much animosity, but that wasn’t it. Jenny made her way out onto the stage with a wide grin, greeting the fans as they welcomed her back. Taya nods her head, now suddenly smiling. She broke out into a laugh and nodded again.
“Okay...okay, Jenny. You’re going to regret pissing us off this bad.”